BROTHER'S APPOINTMENT WITH ORAL SURGEON

Met my brother at the surgeon's office today for his dental evaluation.  Gave him the protein drinks I purchased for him as well as a print out of an outline I typed up showing the dates of all of my procedures and recovery from my cancer journey.  This will show him the time frame of my recovery which he has asked questions about. 

The surgeon examined his teeth and gums and advised him on the best way to approach the situation.  After a time my brother decided it best to have all of remaining teeth pulled.  He asked questions concerning the blood thinner he is taking for his AFib and the surgeon said he would talk with his cardiologist about this.

The doctor informed him that he will not be getting dental plates until after his cancer treatment is complete as it will be very uncomfortable to get used to his new teeth while going through chemo and radiation.

My brother is concerned about being able to eat but was reminded that he will have a stomach tube for use when he can no longer swallow.  Before that he will just have to eat soft foods and protein drinks.

When we got to the front desk to check out he was informed about the cost and how much the insurance would cover.  He will have to pay $2000 out of pocket as his share of the cost.  They gave him a tentative appointment for August 12th.

It was a rough day for him and I came home in really a sad mood.  

Next stop is surgery for placement of the PEG tube and Port in 3 days.  He is currently off of his blood thinner.  

MY ONCOLOGIST APPOINTMENT

My Oncologist appointment went well yesterday.  He was very pleased with the improvements since my last visit with him 6 months ago.  I informed him that I can eat almost anything except steak and hamburger meat.  I have regained about 50% of my saliva which helps with swallowing foods I was not able to swallow before.  I have gained 5 pounds in the last 6 months which I am not happy about.  However, I enjoy my cake and ice cream every day.  I now weigh 156 pounds.

My throat does not hurt anymore and is barely red.  I do still have days when I am hoarse and think it is due to the foods I am eating.

Talked to him about some recent pain in my right side under my breast.  He felt the area and said it could be cartilage pain and to have my family doctor check it out.  I made an appointment for next Thursday - August 1st at 2:20 with Dr. Scott Haydel. 

I will be seeing my Oncologist again in 6 months.  

Later in the afternoon I met with my brother and his wife to go over some information he will need that will help him with his cancer treatment.  I showed him all of the items that are in my Survival Box that I used on a daily basis to combat the effects of my radiation treatment.  He said he would not remember all of the things I told him.  I explained that I wrote all the info down and gave him the paper.  His wife will be purchasing the items on the list.  I offered to do his first few tube feedings until he felt that he could do them himself.

BROTHER'S APPOINTMENT WITH SURGEON AND GASTRO DOCTOR

Met my brother at the doctor's office today.  First he met with a surgeon who will be placing a port in his right shoulder.  The procedure was explained to him.  We informed the doctor that we want this procedure and the PEG tube to be placed at the same time.  The doctor said he would communicate with the Gastro doctor and they would perform these two procedures at the same time.

Later that afternoon we met with the Gastro doctor who explained the PEG placement procedure in detail and answered all questions.  He then made a phone call to the surgeon and they came up with a date for the surgery.  It will be on August 2 which is also my 72nd birthday.  

My brother's next doctor's appointment is on July 30th with an Oral Surgeon to evaluate his teeth and schedule surgery to remove any that are in bad shape.  Then when he is healed from this he will have his first radiation and chemo treatments.

All this preparation is overwhelming to him but necessary in order to begin treatment.  

BROTHER'S MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST APPOINTMENT

Went with my brother to his Medical Oncologist appointment today.  The doctor explained in detail about the Chemotherapy he will be receiving.  He will be getting 3 rounds of Cisplatin to be given every 3 weeks.  He may also be given a 4th round.

He was informed that this will be causing some painful discomfort in the throat area as well as what the radiation will be causing at the same time.  

The doctor said that he was a Stage II - Squamous Cell Carcinoma - HPV 16+ which has a high rate of survival but did not say what percent.

So now he has an appointment next week with the Gastro doctor for a consult on the PEG tube placement.  Then a consult with a doctor for the Port placement to be done at the same time.

The following week is his appointment with the Oral Surgeon to see if he needs to have all of his teeth pulled.  

The Medical Oncologist wanted to start treatment the first week of August but that won't be possible due to the dental appointment so said he would wait and see what the dentist says and then begin about 7 days after dental work is completed.  

My brother was a bit overwhelmed again today.  Voiced concerns about his blood thinner and pacemaker and how this treatment will affect these things.   He was assured that this will be monitored and care taken.

He does not have his whole heart into fighting this cancer and stated it may not be worth the effort if his chances are slim.

His wife and I are giving encouragement and hope it is helping him some.

BROTHER'S PET SCAN RESULTS

Drove my brother to his Radiation Oncology appointment.  The doctor explained in detail exactly what he will be experiencing with radiation.  He will receive radiation 5 days a week for 35 total treatments.  He will also be getting Chemotherapy.  He needs to see a different Oncologist for information on that treatment which will be administered at the same time.  He is waiting for a call to schedule that appointment.

According to his PET Scan results, his cancer is localized to head and neck which is good news.  However, his cancer is advanced and larger than what I had so his treatment and recovery will be more painful.  He was given a 60 to 70% chance for cure.

He needs to see an Oral Surgeon to have an eval on his teeth.  May need them all pulled.  Also needs to see a Gastro doctor to have a PEG tube placed for tube feeding.  Will be getting a port placed in order to receive Chemo.

He was given a lot of info today and is pretty much wiped out about it all.   So am I.